What Can A Physiotherpaist Do For An Arthiritic Knee?

[viv38]

As above.

[viv38]

Sorry for bad spelling !!

[Sqad]

\\\\What Can A Physiotherpaist Do For An Arthiritic Knee?\\

A lot.

I am going to leave the answer to this to our resident physiotherapist...........woofgang.

[viv38]

Thanks Sqad, didn't know woofgang was a physiotherapist. Don't think she's on at the mo. Will it help the pain? It's for my OH's Dad, he doesn't want to be permanently on painkillers.

[Sqad]

Ok...an interim answer from an amateur until the real McCoy sees this thread.

The whole point of physiotherapy is to slow down deterioration of the knee joint, reduce the pain and improve mobility.

Making life worth living again.

this can be achieved by drugs...no steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, chondroitin and fish oils.......the latter two are bloody useless (in my opinion).

The above combined with exercises,hydrotherapy, ultrasound perhaps may put off the day when knee replacement will be necessary.

There yer go until woofy arrives.

[viv38]

Thank you Sqad x

[woofgang]

not a physiotherapist but a retired occupational therapist, however I have worked with physios and have got knee issues (cartilege) myself. This is a "piece of string" question.
The answer is it depends on what the state of your Dad's knee is. Has he had scans, x rays, etcet and how does he know its arthritis? Is it just the one knee or is it in other joints? Who suggested the physio?
If he doesn't want to have pain then I am afraid some painkillers are unavoidable. I agree with Sqad about vitamins and substances that are supposed to "lubricate" or "resurface" the joint. Much wishful thinking and placebo and little objective evidence.
What the physio can do is give exercises to do daily or more often that will strengthen the muscles that support and stabilise the joint if this is possible. They can advise on a suitable walking aid, or the Occupational Therapist can. An OT can also advise on the best way to get through everyday activities and can suggest (and, depending on your area, may provide) equipment to help as well.
Any further questions, do shout :)

[woofgang]

I forgot! if knee and ankle alignment is a factor, then the physio can assess for this and suggest exercises or shoe inserts to help or can pass your Dad on to a podiatrist.

[viv38]

Thanks woofgang. He has seen his doctor who sent him for an ultrasound scan and the start of arthritis was diagnosed. There was also a 'resolved' Baker's cyst. His doctor told him that there are some bony spurs and cysts and she is referring him to a physiotherapist (still waiting to hear). He is not in a lot of pain, but walking isn't as easy as it used to be. He is taking co-codamil which Dr has prescribed and she has given him some mild exercises to do.

[Sqad]

Clearly not ready for a knee replacement and the physiotherapist seems to be the first port of call.

[viv38]

Yes Sqad Dr did say that he was not a candidate for a knee replacement, but is this the only outcome as he gets older (64 at the mo) ?

[Sqad]

Viv....yes.....sorry.

[woofgang]

if he's taking co codamol, then he should be keeping in mind that it can cause constipation, especially if he's that was inclined anyway. If he likes to use bran cereal then he should take it with plenty of milk and up his liquid intake generally otherwise it is solid in the digestive system and doesn't help. A better option is added fruit and veg as it comes with its own water, or something like fybogel or movicol. For some reason, GP's seem to forget to mention this with uncomfortable results for the patient.

[viv38]

Oh dear, he doesn't fancy that at all!

I have to go now, but thank you both.

[woofgang]

why is he not a candidate for knee replacement? was it the GP who said this or the orthopod?

[viv38]

Just seen your reply woof. He was on naproxen first, which gave him the runs from time to time ! So far he's been OK on co-codamil. All the Dr said about naproxen was that it can cause kidney problems so she wasn't going to keep him on it.

Thank you again.

[viv38]

Dr said it woof.

[woofgang]

you are welcome :)

[woofgang]

GP Dr or consultant Dr?

[woofgang]

did they say why?

[Sqad]

woofy

\\\\\\He is not in a lot of pain, but walking isn't as easy as it used to be.\\\

That is the answer to your question as to why he is not a candidate for knee replacement at the moment.